By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Junior right-hander Caleb Freitas-Fields steps into the role of Waiakea ace, and gets his first chance to shine in the BIIF season-opener against Kealakehe on Saturday.
The defending Division I champion Warriors lost one big piece in Kodi Medeiros, who’s in the Milwaukee Brewers organization.
But last year, the team started a lot of young, promising players, including All-BIIF third baseman Taylor Mondina, and outfielders Nate Minami and Gehrig Octavio.
Waiakea is scheduled to face Hilo in the annual crosstown rivalry showdown on Friday, April 3 at Wong Stadium.
Likewise, the BIIF runner-up Vikings lost their ace in Jalen Carvalho, who’s at Oregon Tech.
However, Hilo has a solid replacement in sophomore Joey Jarneski, who pitched the Hilo All-Stars to the PONY World Series championship last summer.
The Viks open on the road Saturday at Hawaii Prep, which returns its ace in senior right-hander Koa Ellis.
UHH baseball splits
The Jordan boys (Kumasaka and Kurokawa) both pitched well enough to win against No. 6 Fresno Pacific on Wednesday, but only one notched a victory.
In Game 1, Kumasaka tossed one-run ball over 7 2/3 innings, but got stuck with a no-decision in the 3-1 loss.
Michael Slifer pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up two runs and took the loss.
Edison Sakata batted 3 for 5 while Korin Medeiros and Jonathan Segovia paired hits for the Vuls, who left 10 on base.
In Game 2, Kurokawa fired a seven-hitter in a 4-3 win. He walked three and struck out eight in his complete-game gem.
Medeiros continued his role as UHH’s most productive hitter. He went 2 for 4 with four RBIs.
Byron Freitas and Sean Nearhoof added two hits each.